Walk Details
NZ Walking Routes > Wairarapa > Castlepoint Scenic Reserve and Lighthouse Walk
Castlepoint Scenic Reserve and Lighthouse Walk
- Location
- Turn right into Te Ore Ore Road on the northern outskirts of Masterton. This road becomes the Masterton Castlepoint Road and leads directly to Castlepoint Scenic Reserve.
- Description
Castlepoint was named in 1770 by Captain Cook who was struck by the similarities of Castle Rock to the battlements of a castle.
With its fossil-rich limestone reef and magnificent 162 metre high Castle Rock, Castlepoint is one of the most spectacular sites along the Wairarapa coastline. Long stretches of beach and a sheltered lagoon provide opportunity for a variety of waterbased recreational pursuits, and the area has a rich natural history.
Look out for fossil shells in the rock as you follow the board-walk over the reef and past the lighthouse at Castlepoint Scenic Reserve.
The reef, lagoon, sand dunes, and Castle Rock are all part of Castlepoint Scenic Reserve. As well as protecting outstanding landforms, the reserve is the only location in the world of a rare shrubby daisy. Castlepoint daisy Brachyglottis compactus grows only on the crumbled limestone of the reef and Castle Rock.
Frequently visited by several species of dolphin, as well as fur seals, and occasionally small whale species, the reserve is also home to numerous sea birds. White-fronted terns, red-billed gulls, and black shags inhabit the south end of the reef, and reef herons and black-backed gulls nest on the sheer cliffs of Castle Rock.
- Duration
- 0.3 hours
- Level
- Medium
- Amenities
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- Birds
- Carpark
- Fishing
- Food & Drink
- Historical
- Plant Life
- Swimming
- Toilets
- Source
- www.doc.govt.nz
- Discussion
- Start a discussion on this walk